CHICAGO — Embattled Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., said Wednesday that a newly released transcript of a covert recording by federal agents is proof that he did not engage in pay-to-play politics at the center of the corruption charges against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who appointed him.

But Burris, who was named to the Senate seat three weeks after Blagojevich’s arrest on federal corruption charges, didn’t explain why he did not flatly state his refusal to raise money for Blagojevich in a Nov. 13 conversation with Blagojevich’s brother that was recorded by federal investigators. Instead, the transcript shows Burris looking for ways to try to help Blagojevich without the direct appearance of trying to buy the Senate appointment.

The release of the FBI transcript, sought by the Senate Ethics Committee as it conducts a preliminary inquiry into the appointment, as well as Burris’ new comments Wednesday, are the latest part of the long-running saga of Illinois pay-to-play politics.

Burris has repeatedly shifted the story of his appointment, first telling an Illinois House panel he had limited contact with Blagojevich aides about seeking the seat, then filing an affidavit acknowledging more contacts but saying he didn’t give or raise any money, then telling reporters he tried to raise money but no one would give. The transcripts show Burris actively looking to participate in other fundraisers for Blagojevich or delivering money to the then-governor “in the name of” his law partner.

“Please understand, that there was no pay-to-play in this or any intention of pay-to-play,” Burris said Wednesday morning in a radio interview. “And therefore, that should be the end of the story. The transcripts bear that out. There’s no conjecture.”

Burris, who had given money to Blagojevich in the past, said in the radio interview, “This time, since I was so interested in being appointed to the seat, I had the foresight to know that I could not raise any money for the governor, nor could I give him any money.”

But the transcript of the conversation recorded by federal agents shows Burris agonizing over how to make Blagojevich happy while angling for the Senate seat. Burris, in the transcript, first says he could write Blagojevich a check but then thinks about giving money through his law firm and that he “might be able to do this in the name of Tim Wright,” his law partner. Wright later acknowledged he advised Burris against such a move.

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